Defence News

Defence News: 28 May 2010

Corporal Stephen Paul Curley killed in Afghanistan
Gunner Zak Cusack killed in Afghanistan
HMS Monmouth leads Dunkirk commemoration
HMS Somerset deploys to the Gulf

Defence in the Media: 28 May 2010

Summary
There has been widespread media coverage of the flotilla of 'Little Ships' which set sail from Ramsgate in Kent, escorted by Royal Navy frigate HMS Monmouth, to mark the 70th anniversary of the Word War Two evacuation of Dunkirk. Various media report on a nineteen-year-old member of the MOD Police who has become the youngest firearms officer in the UK.

Corporal Stephen Paul Curley killed in Afghanistan
It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Corporal Stephen Curley from 40 Commando Royal Marines, serving as part of Combined Force Sangin, was killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday 26 May 2010. Click here to read more.

Gunner Zak Cusack killed in Afghanistan
It is also with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Gunner Zak Cusack from 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, serving as part of Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (South), was killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday 26 May 2010. Click here to read more.

Iraq report not suppressed by Army chiefs
Today's Guardian and Independent newspapers claim that an internal report examining the Iraq campaign, produced by a team led by Lieutenant General Chris Brown, has been suppressed by 'Army chiefs'. This is absolutely not the case - indeed, recommendations within the report are already being considered and acted upon.

The purpose of the report, commissioned by the Ministry of Defence, was to examine the Iraq campaign for the purpose of learning lessons for the future. The team behind it considered previous papers and interviewed a number of senior people across Defence, other Government Departments, the US and Iraq, although Lt Gen Brown and his team worked independently of the full staffing process that usually accompanies work of this kind.

Image of the Day: 28 May 2010

HMS Monmouth has acted as an escort to a flotilla of small ships to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Dunkirk. The Devonport-based Type 23 frigate sailed to the northern French port alongside dozens of civilian vessels to commemorate Operation DYNAMO - the daring rescue of more than 300,000 allied troops in 1940. Click here to read more. [Picture: LA(Phot) Dean Nixon, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

Defence Diary: 28 May 2010

Today, Friday 28 May 2010
10 The Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment medal parade, Normandy Barracks, Leconfield.
HMS Atherstone returns to Portsmouth.
TV programme of interest: 'Unreported World - Iraq's Next Battlefield', Channel 4, 1930hrs. As the US prepares to withdraw from Iraq, reporter Evan Williams and director Matt Haan travel to the most dangerous part of the country and find increasing religious, ethnic and political violence.

Tomorrow, Saturday 29 May 2010
Queen's Birthday Parade.
1st Battalion The Rifles Freedom of Telford.
70th anniversary of the World War Two evacuation of Dunkirk.
Southend Air Show.

Monday 31 May 2010
BBC Radio 1 '10 Hour Takeover' - BFBS and BBC Radio 1 broadcast live from Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.
TV programme of interest: 'Building Britain's Ultimate Warship', Channel 4, 1930hrs. Documentary telling the story of the Royal Navy's revolutionary new warship HMS Daring, from construction to launch and preparing for war.

Wednesday 2 June 2010
Parliament returns.   
Afghan peace 'loya jirga' ('grand assembly').

Thursday 3 June 2010
HMS Dauntless commissioning ceremony.
Armed Forces Hindu Conference, Newcastle.

Defence News: 27 May 2010

Royal Marine killed in Helmand
Death of Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Moran
Troops enjoy England international at Wembley
Tractors handed out to Afghan farmers in Nad 'Ali

Defence in the Media: 27 May 2010

Summary
Various media outlets have reported that a new video has been released in which Paul and Rachel Chandler, who are being held captive by Somali pirates, plead with the new Government and Prime Minister David Cameron to take action to free them. Several stories have been published about the flotilla of boats which is preparing to cross the Channel to Dunkirk to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Operation DYNAMO. The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail have reported that Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox has confirmed that an independent review is to be held into a Chinook helicopter crash which claimed the lives of 29 people on the Mull of Kintyre 16 years ago. There has been widespread media coverage of Lord Saville's report into deaths in Ulster in 1972 which will be published on 15 June 2010 - the inquiry has lasted 12 years and cost £191m.

Royal Marine and Royal Artillery soldier killed in Helmand
It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must announce that a Royal Marine from 40 Commando Royal Marines, serving as part of Combined Force Sangin, and a soldier from 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, serving as part of Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (South), were killed in separate incidents in Afghanistan yesterday, Wednesday 26 May 2010.

Death of Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Moran
It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Moran. Air Chief Marshal Moran was taken ill while taking part in a triathlon during the afternoon of Wednesday 26 May at RAF Brize Norton, and sadly died later in hospital. Click here to read more.

Image of the Day: 27 May 2010

150 officers and soldiers from 261 Signal Squadron have returned from a gruelling six-and-a-half month tour in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Based in Aldershot, the squadron is made up of signallers, mechanics, clerks, logistical support and chefs. They are part of 11 Light Brigade who have had a highly successful tour and made a difference working with the local population in Afghanistan. Major General Keith Cima (pictured), the Governor of the Tower of London, presented the troops with their operational medals at a ceremony at the end of last week. [Picture: Sergeant Dan Harmer, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

Defence Diary: 27 May 2010

Today, Thursday 27 May 2010
HMS Lancaster returns to Portsmouth.
HMS Raider, HMS Monmouth and RFA Largs Bay attending Dunkirk Little Ships historical re-enactment.  
The Royal United Services Institute Ballistic Missile Conference.

Tomorrow, Friday 28 May 2010
10 The Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment medal parade, Normandy Barracks, Leconfield.
HMS Atherstone returns to Portsmouth.
TV programme of interest: 'Unreported World - Iraq's Next Battlefield', Channel 4, 1930hrs. As the US prepares to withdraw from Iraq, reporter Evan Williams and director Matt Haan travel to the most dangerous part of the country and find increasing religious, ethnic and political violence.

Defence News: 26 May 2010

Soldier from 4th Regiment Royal Artillery killed in Afghanistan
Lord Astor and Peter Luff MP confirmed as new Parliamentary Under Secretaries of State for Defence
RMP prepare for Afghan investigations
Secretary of State for Defence visits the Royal Navy in Bahrain
Busiest 24 hours for HMS Gannet's search and rescue team

Defence in the Media: 26 May 2010

Summary
There has been coverage of the Queen's speech which lists the Armed Forces Bill as one of the 23 new pieces of legislation that are planned. Various media outlets have reported that at least 15 people have been killed in Baghdad after masked men armed with guns and rocket propelled grenades opened fire during a mass raid on a jewellery market. The Guardian and the Daily Telegraph have reported that the Red Cross has been training the Taliban in basic first aid.

New Parliamentary Under Secretaries of State for Defence confirmed
Lord Astor of Hever and Peter Luff MP have been confirmed as new Parliamentary under Secretaries of State for Defence. Click here for more information.

Soldier from 4th Regiment Royal Artillery killed in Afghanistan
It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must announce that a soldier from 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, serving as part of Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (South), was killed in Helmand today, Wednesday 26 May 2010. Click here for more information.